Prior Lake, Minn. – The public is invited to participate in a blood drive on Thursday, December 14, hosted by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC). Donations will be accepted from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at Dakotah! Sport and Fitness, located at 2100 Trail of Dreams in Prior Lake. All donors will receive a surprise gift from the SMSC Health and Wellness Department.

The need for donated blood is substantial. Every two seconds, someone in the United States requires a blood transfusion, and donors of all blood types are asked to help meet this need.

To donate blood, individuals must meet the following criteria:

  • Be at least 17 years old (or 16 years old with written parental consent)
  • Weigh at least 110 pounds
  • Be in good health and symptom-free for at least 72 hours following a cold or flu
  • Have not made a whole blood donation in the past 56 days

To schedule an appointment, please call the SMSC Wellness Department at 952-233-2965 or visit mbc.org/idonate, click the “Schedule Now” button, click “Locate a Blood Drive,” and enter SMSC sponsor code 1637. Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are also accepted.

Donors must participate in a brief screening as part of the approval process, including a mini-physical exam and a health history questionnaire. The questionnaire can be completed on-site or off-site on the same day of the donation at mbc.org/idonate. The entire blood donation process takes approximately 45 minutes.

The SMSC has sponsored blood drives for more than 30 years and has partnered with Minnesota-based Memorial Blood Center since 1998.

About the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is a federally recognized, sovereign Native American tribe located southwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul. Following a Dakota tradition of generosity, the SMSC is one of the top philanthropists in Minnesota and is the largest contributor to Native American tribes and causes across the country. It is a strong community partner and a leader in protecting and restoring natural resources. The SMSC’s government, Gaming Enterprise, and various other enterprises are collectively the largest employer in Scott County.